Youth attend Virgin Islands Volleyball Association Volley Fest

Nearly 50 young Volleyballers from half a dozen schools took part in the first Virgin Islands Volleyball Association Volley Fest event run by Jackie Weekes at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday December 6, 2014. Photo: Charlie Jackson

Nearly 50 young Volleyballers from half a dozen schools took part in the first Virgin Islands Volleyball Association Volley Fest event run by Jackie Weekes at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday December 6, 2014.

The Volley Fest comes hot on the heels of the conclusion of the Youth Structure Programme that is being spearheaded by VIVA, through which the fundamentals of the sport is being introduced to the students and PE Teachers throughout the schools by Ms. Jacqueline Weekes.

“Today is going great with the turn out,” said Ms Weekes. “Even though there is so much going on and we had problems with transport for the outer islands.”

Ms. Weekes had hopes for a league to be set up but has come across many issues with equipment and getting assistance with the programme in the schools. However Weekes will be continuing her efforts and, with increased support from the Association, is confident that her goals will be achieved.

“Facilities are a problem,” she said. “There is nothing for Volleyball, with most of our practices taking place on a field. I’m hoping for more cooperation from teachers, principles, Government and VIVA and then it will happen. Right now the best we can do is encourage the youngsters to come along and teach them the fundamentals.”

One organization that needed no encouragement to attend the event was the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) run by the Executive Director, Stacey Mather, in East End. His young charges were out in force and having as much fun as everyone else especially when Weekes and Mather took to the court in a demonstration game.

“Any sporting activity at YEP is welcomed and Jackie has been fantastic in bringing her Volleyball programme,” said Mather. “We invested a sizeable amount of money on an outdoor facility and want to see it develop. Jackie is the face of Volleyball, she is phenomenal and everything she is involved with will always succeed.”

The day of thrills, skills and Volleyball drills concluded with Althea Scatliffe Primary School awarded for being the Best Primary School performers, but with the event due to be repeated every 3 or 4 weeks, they will not be able to rest on their laurels.

The outer island schools will be involved next time around and as the sport continues to grow at grassroots level, more and more youngsters will be vying to take the award home for their school.